Battelle and the national laboratories it manages and co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) won 19 -- nearly one fifth -- of the coveted R&D Magazine's R&D 100 Awards that note the most significant scientific accomplishments of 2010.

Known as the "Oscars of Innovation," the awards are highly regarded in the research and development world. This year's awards brings the total wins for Battelle and its affiliate labs to 260, tallied during the time Battelle has managed or co-managed those labs.

Battelle was recognized for the Resource Effective Biodentification System, also known as REBS, a system that provides a rapid and flexible microbial detection, identification and enumeration capability. The laser-based system monitors pharmaceutical factories, food processing plants, hospitals and the environment for microbial contamination risks that may jeopardize personal or product safety. It can also be used for national security purposes to detect dangerous biological agents in the air.

"We're proud to be recognized for our scientific and technical achievements. Quite honestly, the R&D 100 Awards generate a lot of excitement among our staff at Battelle and throughout our family of national laboratories," said Battelle President and CEO Jeff Wadsworth. "They are a meaningful acknowledgement of what we do every day -- advancing science for the benefit of mankind."

As the world's largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom.

Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.